Obituary of JoAnn B. Fuscus

JoAnn Babcock Fuscus, 86, of 19 Roland Road in Jamestown, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019, surrounded by the love of her family. Obituaries often refer to the love of a married couple, but the relationship between JoAnn and her husband Russell was enduring. They met in 1950 and married in 1956 and were a team their entire lives. Even after 68 years together, people immediately noticed the tenderness and connection between them. That doesn't mean that they lived in a fairytale, but it does mean that they were connected in a way for which many hope, but few experience. Shortly after she died, Russell told his sons that "she was the most beautiful woman I ever knew" … and he meant it in 2019 just as he did in 1950. Russell and JoAnn ran a number of businesses in Chautauqua County, most notably The Casino in Bemus Point from 1976 to 1998. While The Casino was most closely associated with Russell, JoAnn was the one running the operations, doing the accounting and ensuring that the trains all ran on time. "She was so much fun", one of her long-time employees remarked on her passing. JoAnn grew up in Busti where both sides of her family were engaged in farming and her Babcock grandparents ran a famous peony farm, hybridizing numerous flowers and shipping the plants throughout the United States and Europe. In 1929, her grandfather Grant was awarded the "Peony of the Year" award by the U.S. Peony Society for the deep red flower, Hari-El-Nin. Her father Robert also established the Busti Green Houses before his untimely death in 1939. Perhaps it is from her early life that she developed her love of flowers and the tasteful, elegant style that defined her in the eyes of so many. Whether it was the decoration of the family's home or her elegance at social events, everyone noticed JoAnn and the tasteful way in which she navigated the world. Through her decorating, she developed an interest, and later an expertise, in antiques, becoming an expert in antique glassware. Many will recall the major antique event, "Antique Festival Days" held each summer at The Casino where the antique dealers and expert appraisers were all hand selected by JoAnn Fuscus. But perhaps the most defining aspect of JoAnn's life was the way that she attracted people, and the enduring relationships she developed with so many. Forty years ago, one of her son's developed a bond with a group of then-young men at the University of Buffalo, the "U.B. Dirts". Since her passing, they have called to mourn the passing of "my second mother". JoAnn loved to laugh and, perhaps, the term, "belly laugh" was first coined to describe how she approached life. One childhood friend of both her sons recently described how he would come to the house as a youth and she'd answer the door with a twinkle in her eye saying, "it's you again?" And then she'd stuff him full of smiles and food. When JoAnn passed, she was at peace with herself, secure in the love for her family and the love they felt for her. JoAnn was extremely close to her mother, Mable Johnson Babcock, and in her final days, the pending reunion with her Mom gave her great solace and peace. JoAnn was born in Jamestown on June 13, 1932 and was the daughter of Robert and Mable Johnson Babcock of Busti. She was graduated from Jamestown High School in 1950. Prior to the birth of her first son in 1958, she was employed by Jamestown General Hospital as a laboratory technician. She was a former member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was actively involved in the Jayncees. Surviving are her husband Russell Fuscus, whom she married September 29, 1956; two sons Kevin (Barbara) Fuscus of Delmar, NY and David (Holly Page) Fuscus of Bethesda, MD and four grandchildren William, Christopher, Matthew and Samantha Fuscus. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Janice Babcock Engdahl in 2008. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service Saturday in the funeral home. A luncheon will follow at the Landmark Restaurant in Jamestown. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fenton History Center, 67 Washington St, Jamestown, NY 14701. One may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.